Yesterday morning I awoke very early -- around 5am. I flipped on the TV (yes, I know, it is a bad habit). In almost a surreal way, I was mesmerized by this televangelist. Now, DON'T stop reading here. This gets pretty interesting. She was talking about Job and FEAR. If you have been following my blog, you know a recurrent theme in it deals with my struggle with fear. Apparently, Job said "the thing I fear comes upon me." The bottom line - the message is that we have to stop being afraid that something bad is going to happen to us, and we have to have faith. The lady's name was Joyce Meyer and what she said made sense to me. I may read her book sometime.
Anyway, I have decided two things. On Monday, I am going to do what my grandmother did who successfully held on to her money -- put some money in CDs. It worked for her, and it will give me peace of mind.
The second thing is that I am going on a trip. A two week trip. I don't think that is too extravagant. I want you guys to help me choose where to go. I am not getting on a cruise ship so that is out. I have been to Mexico and all around the United States. I want to go out of the country. I've spent my entire life in the U.S. and lived in only one state. I think that classifies me as rather unworldly. So I need your help. I'm thinking Spain, England, Italy, France? And someone mentioned I should learn a foreign language. I want to do that too, so don't let the language thing be a barrier. Where would YOU go and why? Help me out? Please?
Anyway, I have decided two things. On Monday, I am going to do what my grandmother did who successfully held on to her money -- put some money in CDs. It worked for her, and it will give me peace of mind.
The second thing is that I am going on a trip. A two week trip. I don't think that is too extravagant. I want you guys to help me choose where to go. I am not getting on a cruise ship so that is out. I have been to Mexico and all around the United States. I want to go out of the country. I've spent my entire life in the U.S. and lived in only one state. I think that classifies me as rather unworldly. So I need your help. I'm thinking Spain, England, Italy, France? And someone mentioned I should learn a foreign language. I want to do that too, so don't let the language thing be a barrier. Where would YOU go and why? Help me out? Please?
posted by Anonymous | 5:48 PM
21 Comments:
I think that Greece would be a great place to go...people rarely talk about Greece as a hot vacation spot, but think about the history...and the food. :)
I, too, have only lived in one state, and have only traveled to Mexico and around the US. I've always wanted to go to Greece.
If money were no object, I would go to Italy and travel around to all the great cities there.
I would learn Spanish or Chinese, as either of them is the main language to a whole lot of people in the world.
Hey, thanks for your comment on my blog =)
Well on where to go, I can't say much considering I haven't done much travelling myself, but if you had the finances, I'd say go to Europe. Perhaps to some place like Switzerland? England sounds great though. France too.
From experience, I suggest Barcelona, Spain. Of all the places I visited in the Mediterranean, I enjoyed it much more than than other places.
...Of course, I was in the U.S. Navy, and maybe a twenty-one year-old single sailor would see things diferently.
oh, I'd have to say I'm rather partial to England... :))) but we've been to Cork and Cobh (pronounced Cove) in Ireland- lovely! Barcelona is great too... I know muy pequeno Spanish, but we stayed right downtown, and had no trouble with only speaking English. it's a beautiful city! my friend Cat, whose blog you can access from the link on my page, just returned from a short hop to Venice, and LOVED it! (she'll have pics up very soon, if you want to have a peek) anyplace in Europe would be nice about now, as it is still very pleasant out. do you have a passport? that will take 6-8 weeks to obtain, but then you are good for ten years worth of outside the US travel..
thanks for the comments... I just love that bunny too!
Job is a very intesting book... lots to think about. Ultimately yes, we have to let go of fear about the unknown. because what I have learned is that things are usually never as bad as I think they are going to be, and quite often I am pleasantly surprised at how nice they work out. sometimes I assume the worst; it's human nature and hard to avoid. but in being open to the postive possibilities, much good comes. we are able to embrace small things that otherwise we might have overlooked, and appreciate the simple things that we didn't even dream we might encounter...
like head perforamce rabbits...
have a good day!
mollie
Lauri - I had some friends go to Greece and they loved it.
Kenju - luckily, money isn't "an object." Italy is a definite option.
Phoe - I hadn't thought of Switzerland frankly, but CHOCOLATE and WATCHES! Makes me think...yes, an option.
Hale - I've heard how beautiful Spain is. And not just from 21 year old sailors (wink)
Mollie - Since I have English ancestors and am a royal family fanatic, England is definitely on the list too! I took your advice and visited Cat's site!
Thanks for the suggestions everyone!
I hope you'll keep them coming!
So I found you through Halloween Lover's site. What a fun blog you have! (BTW...congrats...I think the most fun thing I read so far on your blog was that you went home and paid off all of your bills. I can only imagine how freeing that must feel...everything else is just icing, right?)
Anyway, I JUST got back from a 10 day trip to Scotland and it was gorgeous. (I posted some pictures and links here)However, I think we were there at the end of the season and it was really getting quite gray and chilly...especially farther South in Edinburgh (who knew the jet stream actually worked).
I think I would go someplace quiet, where I could relax, think, worship, etc. Maybe a small village in the hills of Germany or France.
--Girl
I think spending two weeks in Europe is a great idea. Everything is so close together that it is easy to visit a couple of countries in that time frame.
My family toured England and France a couple of years ago for two weeks and it was wonderful. If you’re looking for some relaxation, I recommend spending a few days at a bed and breakfast in the Cotswold’s in the UK. Everything is very relaxed and quaint. You get away from all the touristy places and can experience some more authentic things. If you like history and/or art, there are a lot of beautiful old castles, roman baths and cathedrals to tour. It is a good way to end your trip.
Paris and London are great, but they can be very overwhelming. The Cotswold’s are a nice place to relax and unwind before you have to go home. Here is a good site to go to for more information-- http://www.cotswolds.info/tour-worcestershire-gloucestershire-oxfordshire.shtml.
My family stayed in Tetbury and liked it a lot, but I'm sure most of the towns around there will be very similar. Also, if you like shopping, be sure to stop in some of the antique stores. They're amazing and it's always fun to tell someone you got that lamp at an antique store in Europe when they ask.
I'm sure you are going to have a great time wherever you go! It sounds like you deserve a vacation.
Leah, I've heard that about New Zealand. Too bad I'm taking this trip now because my friend used to have a kiwi farm in New Zealand. She said it was gorgeous.
Girl, I'm headed to see those Scotland pics. I have some Scottish blood in me, so I am especially curious about that country.
Courtney, thanks for the great specific info! I am going to check out The Cotswald's for sure.
All this vacation talk has me excited!!!!
Thanks for all the great advice!
You can get just about anywhere in the world with a sheepish smile, a small phrasebook, and your English. It's kind of a seasonal destination, but Iceland is easily the most beautiful place I've seen. Drive around the perimeter and see waterfalls and glaciers. It's small in human scale, so it's not overwhelming, and the scenery lends itself to contemplation.
Wow, Iceland. I would never have thought of that! Thanks for the recommendation.
Hmm, all this vacation talk is making me envious. Need a traveling companion? Wink! Wink!
...Sorry stuck my pen in my eye.
I'll bet I could make up a lot of stuff that didn't happen on a trip.
...Thanks for omment and glad to be of service.
Wink wink back at ya Hale!
Ireland/Scotland/England or / and Australia.
Since I live in Greece, the decent thing to do (for the Greek Tourist Organization) is to promote the idea of "Come to Greece". Undeniably Greece is beautiful and yes, one should see the Parthenon if one can.
However to be truly objective, I confess that I have always yearned to visit Ireland, Scotland and rural England. Endless lush-green scenery, ghost-ridden drafty castles, rosy cheeked people in white-sheep-wools turtlenecks... (I think New Zealand/Middle Earth would suit me also) *sigh*...
I believe that Scandinavia could be an eye-soothing, relaxing trip also (Norwegian fiords, Finnish forests, etc.)
Why not go for a tour of all major European cities, which can be a hassle (too many places packed in a short amount of time), but it will give you an overall view and then you can revisit the country/city that you liked best at a later date for a full tasting?
:-)
I have been all over Europe. For 2 weeks, I wold recommend EITHER the British Isles-all four of them, OR the continent-France, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, maybe? What a wonderful trip. You are very lucky!
Thanks for the comments on my blog! Always great to get a heads-up for an interesting new site.
I would go to Britain, but that's because I've always had a soft spot for the 60's British Invasion. I've only been there twice, mostly London, and I went to a Beatles Convention in Liverpool once.
Hi, I linked to you from my blog (thanks for liking my deer, I love them too.) Your blog is great, I can't wait to hear what your decorator comes back with. :)
About travelling, my suggestion is pick some hobby that you have never been able to embrace and go for it - like do a ski-theme holiday (Banff is great!), or maybe a photography trip in Greeece, or go bicycling through Italy. You can be a tourist anywhere, so do something that speaks to your heart. Ohh, sorry that sounded a bit cheesy, but I hope you know what I mean!
Good luck deciding!
Another vote for Greece. We went on a cruise (but you don't have to do that!) from Athens to Istanbul in May 2004, and it was incredible. Athens, Mykonos, Santorini, and Rhodes were all wonderful, and Santorini is the most breathtakingly beautiful place I've ever been (and yes, I have traveled a bit).
Not only was it beautiful, but the food was delicious and the people were out of this world. And I learned so much too - perfect combination of relaxation and education. I WILL return!
Hawaii, without a doubt. not maui, not Oahu, but there is plenty to see on the Big island, and Kauai. The weather is perfect there are a whole range of amenities and cultures to encounter. The volcanoes are an awesome experience. Some day - do go there, you will be glad you did. I was.
I would go to Nimbin the alternative village, Australia.
I love tropical paradise and getting high on pot
Post a Comment
<< Home